Guilt Associated with Gilt/Target Collaboration?

If you’ve seen, heard, or read any political news in the past few weeks, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the controversy surrounding Target’s contribution to an independent expenditure committee that has taken out ads in support of Tom Emmer, a Republican state lawmaker. To read the full story, click here.

If you’re a fan of Gilt on Facebook,there’s no way you’ve missed the heated debate going on there. Personally, I will continue to shop at Target because to be honest, do we really know the real political stance of any retailer? I have problems with Wal-Mart because of their poor treatment of employees and their lack of corporate support for public education. But if there was something I needed from Wal-Mart, I would probably still go there. I don’t shop at Wal-Mart because I just don’t like their store’s layout and I don’t like what they do to the downtown merchants of small-town America. Would I be compelled to boycott Wal-Mart? No! I will have dinner party discussions about my views if the subject arises, but I’m not going to be angry with anyone who loves Wal-Mart. I’m not going to criticize you if you shop Wal-Mart every day, and I’m not going to end a friendship with somebody who doesn’t share my views on the aforementioned political issues.

I said all of that to say this: If you have strong feelings about Target’s political contribution and stand on principle that Target should not benefit from the shopping dollars you spend, then by all means, don’t shop there. If you feel that Gilt should have terminated what appears to be a one-time collaboration with Target because of the retailer’s political faux pas, then choose to spend your money elsewhere. Where you shop is your business and you have a right to choose based on your own belief system. However, I am promoting the sale that starts at noon ET today.

I suspect that this collaboration was in the works long before the news about the contribution came to light, so Gilt is not guilty of anything but trying to bring some designer looks at real savings to its customers.

My point of view? Target messed up. Frankly, I don’t see why candidates need to go holding out their hands to corporations for large political contributions because it only further corrupts an already faulty system. Is there a politician or elected official alive that is not swayed by these large contributions? I doubt it. Whenever business gets into politics, they will inevitably offend some of their customers. In this case, it appears that some customers are more vocal than others.

Now, about the sale . . .

Whenever Target releases a designer capsule collection, style-setters take notice—and the pieces invariably sell out lightning quick. Now, for the first time ever, Gilt customers have early and exclusive sneak-peek access to three exciting new Target collaborations with the likes of Tucker, Mulberry and John Derian.

Be among the first to get your hands on Tucker’s dainty tops and ladylike dresses, boasting pretty butterfly and diamond prints; Mulberry’s chic carryalls, from patent satchels to denim cross-bodies; and John Derian’s charming decoupaged tablewares, picture frames and storage bins.

If you feel strongly about this sale and wish to comment, feel free to do so. I simply don’t believe anyone’s rights were violated in this situation–maybe their sensibilities, but not their rights. I’d love to hear your opinions, so don’t hold back!